Team Neemopani
Young Brazilian striker Rodrygo disclosed last night that he has been a victim of racial abuse. The Real Madrid striker said he is receiving enormous racist messages on social media with banana and monkey emojis. It is because of an argument of the young striker with Argentinian captain Lionel Messi in World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday.
Argentina defeated Brazil in this 2026 World Cup qualifying match. This is Brazil’s first ever defeat on home ground in a World Cup qualifying match in the country’s history.
The heated match was already a talking point in sporting world, when Brazilian police brutally abused Argentinian fans which led to a delay of half an hour for the kick off.
The eight-time Balon D’ Or winner Messi, accused Brazilian police of brutality got into a conversation with Brazilian captain Marquinhoz. He also had a heated argument with Rodrygo, the young Brazilian called Messi a coward on leaving the pitch a protest against Brazilian police’s brutality on the visiting fans. This ended a heated argument between Messi and Rodrygo. After this Messi fans and social media users are racially abusing Rodrygo.
“Racists are always on duty. My social networks were invaded with insults and all sorts of nonsense,” Rodrygo made the revelation on his Instagram.
“If we don’t do what they want, if we don’t behave as they think we should, if we wear something that annoys them, if we don’t lower our heads when they attack us, if we occupy spaces they think are theirs alone, the racists will act out their criminal behavior,” he added.
His Brazilian and Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Jr. supported Rodrygo on this matter. Last season Vini Jr. also faced racist chants in a La Liga match.
